[wacko]

Recently purchased a 66 van and want to improve appearance now while saving money to do-it right. Previous owner has done some bondo work and not really sanded it done properly. Question is, can I smooth it out by sanding it down now, and then primer it? I understand the best thing may be to remove all the old bondo and repair it propperly but I am not in a position to do that just yet.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[123pugsy]

I don't see a problem with that.

[timothale]

if the bindo is solid, no cracks or rust underneath go fo it ... I would wonder if they didn't sand to top coat what it's like underneath

[Kruzin Karl]

IF it was ever exposed to moisture without an epoxy primer over it, get rid of it all!
I see so many vehicles driving around with exposed bondo, plain old primer, etc.
Don't these people know that bondo and regular primer will absorb moisture and start rusting underneath?

[OneMoreTime]

I have found it more effective to get that old bondo off and fix the metal under there as it is likely that the previous guy covered up a mess..I see this a lot as some one wishes to do something of a temporary nature and winds up creating a bigger mess than if he had done it right in the first place and also spending a great deal more money in the bargain..


Just my take on this one..

Sam

[Countilaw]

I would never work over old bondo. You never know what's under it.

Frank

[onebadmerc]

Plastic filler is cheap, do you really want to sand it down, prime, sand some more, paint it then have the filler fall out. I would grind or sand it off, redo it, have peace of mind knowing it was done right.

[motomonkey]

you could sand it and prime it for now if it is just too ugly to leave until you can do it right, but doing it right means getting rid of it all so you know what is underneath. Then you can straighten the metal and you wont need as much filler to make it right.